Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 Oct: The state government is launching a special initiative for small farmers involved in dairy production in Uttarakhand. The initiative aims to strengthen resources for small and marginal dairy farmers. Under this initiative, special attention will be paid to increasing milk production in the state, improving farmers’ access to national and international markets, and increasing farmers’ income. This scheme aims to benefit over 200,000 small and large dairy farmers in the state.
The Uttarakhand government has prepared a government-level action plan. This week, a meeting on this action plan was held under the chairmanship of Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department. The Gates Foundation will provide financial support for this initiative, and GDI Partners will provide advisory support.
Under the program, special attention will be given to artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (Embryo Transfer), animal feed and nutrition, animal health, and strengthening the region’s cooperative societies and market system. This will promote improved breeding practices and higher milk productivity. Additionally, efforts will be made to establish mini feed mills, encourage the preparation of balanced animal feed, improve access to animal health services, and expand the cooperative milk collection and processing network.
The program aims to reach over 200,000 dairy farmers in the state. This will benefit farmers through improved breeding, nutrition, animal health services, and market access.
Technology-based innovations will be widely utilized under the program, including animal health advisories, pregnancy testing kits, and low-cost artificial insemination (AI) services. These technological solutions aim to make livestock services more accessible, effective, and useful for farmers.
The meeting, held at the government level, was chaired by the Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development. Director, Animal Husbandry, Dr. Uday Shankar, Director, Dairy Development, Ela Giri, CEO, Livestock Development Board, Dr Rakesh Singh Negi, representatives of the Gates Foundation Nidhi Jain and Priyanka Kakadu were present.
